Hatch cover clamp actuating lever



P 7, 1954 E. c. KNUDSEN ETAL 2,688,266

HATCH COVER CLAMP ACTUATING LEVER Filed April 23, 1952 INVENTORS ATTCI RNEYS Patented Sept. 7, 1954 HATCH COVER CLAMP ACTUATING LEVER E. C. Knudsen and Henry R. Knudsen, Superior, Wis.

Original application J anuary 31, 1951, Serial No. 208,804. Divided and this application April 23, 1952, Serial No. 283,862

1 Claim.

This invention relates to tools of the type used for securing and releasing clamps and the like, and in particular a one piece wrench having open sockets in the faces of one ofthe ends of the heads thereof and hook-like sockets extended from the opposite ends of the heads.

This is a divisional application, being divided from copending application filed January 31, 1951, with the Serial No. 208,804.

The purpose of this invention is to facilitate actuating a clamp of a hatch of a ship wherein one wrench is adapted to force a clamp to a locked position when turned to one position and to move the clamp to a released position when turned over.

Because it is essential to retain a hatch cover in sealed relation with a hatch it is desirable to use comparatively tight fitting clamps and in using c-type clamps where an adjusting screw engages the upper surface of the cover of the hatch and a pivotal connection at the opposite end of the clamp passes over the center considerable force is required to move the clamp from one position to another. With this thought in mind this invention contemplates a wrench having a stock with an extended handle and a head wherein with one end of the head anchored on a fixed element of the hatch a pivot pin gripped by the opposite end may readily be moved over the center for securing and releasing the clamp.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide means for forming a wrench whereby one end of a head at the end of a stock thereof may be anchored on a fixed element while the opposite end of the head is moved, selectively, to push or pull the pivotal connection of the clamp over the fixed element.

Another object of the invention is to provide a latch or clamp actuating wrench that is adapted to be used on clamps now in use without changing the design or arrangement of the clamps.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clamp releasing and closing wrench which is of a simple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention embodies a one piece wrench having a handle extended from a stock with transversely disposed heads on arms on the opposite end of the stock and with the heads provided with recesses in one end and hook-like sockets on the other.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view showing the head end of the wrench illustrating the wrench in the position of releasing a clamp of a hatch wherein the clamp and hatch are shown in dot and dash lines.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the wrench with part of the handle broken away.

Figure 3 is a side elevational View of the wrench also with part of the handle broken away and in which part of the stock is broken away and shown in section to illustrate a nut gripping socket therein.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts the improved hatch cover wrench of this invention include a stock l0 which is in the form of a yoke having parallel arms II and I2 on the ends of which are heads 13 and M, respectively, and at the opposite end of the stock is a handle I5.

Each of the heads is provided with an open socket IS, in the face of one end, and a socket H in the opposite end, the socket I! being formed with hook-like projections [8.

The stock I0 is provided with nut gripping sockets l9 and 2!], the socket [9 having six sides and adapted to grip a hexagonally shaped nut and the socket 20 having four sides so that it is adapted for gripping square nuts.

With the parts formed in this manner a hatch clamp, as indicated by the dot and dash lines 2|, pivotally mounted on a lug 22 of a hatch 23 with a link 24 and pins 25 and 26 is actuated to the releasing position with the sockets l6 placed over the pin 25 and with the pin 26 positioned in the socket l1. With the parts in these positions upward movement on the handle [5 draws the pin 26 outwardly over the center of the pin 25 asillustrated in the drawing whereby the clamp is released.

When it is desired to reverse the position of the clamp to secure a hatch cover 21 in sealed relation with a hatch the wrench is turned over with the hooks 18 positioned around the pin 25 whereby the sockets l6 are positioned against the pin 26 and with the wrench in this position the pin 26 may be forced inwardly over the dead center of the pin 25 and bolt 28 whereby the clamp will be actuated to the locked position.

The clamp 2| may be provided with an adjusting screw 28 and this screw may be turned with one of the sockets [9 or 20 placed over the head thereof, thereby making it possible to use the wrench for adjusting the clamp and also for actuating the clamp to open and locked positions.

Although the clamp is designed for use in opening and closing hatch clamps it will be understood that it is also adapted for use on different types of machinery and equipment.

It will be understood that modifications within the scope of the appended claim may be made in the design and arrangement or the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

A hatch clamp wrench comprising a stock including spaced parallel arms extending from one end with a handle extended from the opposite end and said arms having heads transversely positioned thereon, said heads having open sockets in the outer faces and positioned in one of the ends thereof, and hook-like projections providing sockets inthe opposite ends, said sockets being arranged on opposite faces of the heads and being arranged in opposed relation to each other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 154,445 Beecher Aug. 25, 1874 913,625 David Feb. 23, 1909 1,408,561 Carmen Mar. 7, 1922 1,530,946 Johnson Mar. 24, 1925 2,539,262 Moore Jan. 23, 1951 

